Abstract: A pipeline pig includes a central body member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced return path elements surrounding said body member and each extending axially relative to the body member, each return path element including a pair of axially spaced magnets from each of which projects a metallic bristle set, and means for connecting the return path elements to the body member whereby the free ends of the bristles, in use, resiliently engage the inner wall of the pipeline, the connecting means comprising a first carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the front extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the rear of the body member, a second carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the rear extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the front of the body member, and, for each return path element, a front link pivotally interconnecting the front of the return path element and the first carrier member, and a rear link pivotally interconnect

Abstract: A method of forming a pipeline pig in two or more steps is provided. Selected disks and/or cups, of selected size and hardness, are first formed. These disks and/or cups may include scraper disks, seal disks, flower petal disks, and/or cups in various sizes and hardnesses, in any desired permutation of these characteristics. The preformed pig components are then arranged with a plurality of mold pieces placed between the various disks and/or cups and then a second molding step is performed. The pig components which are formed in the first step preferably include a large central hole through which polyurethane will flow in the second molding step to form the mandrel. The pig components also preferably include a plurality of smaller holes radially spaced around the large central hole. The smaller holes serve to form a mechanically robust coupling between the pre-formed pig components and the polyurethane mandrel.

Abstract: A pipeline pig for removing scales and debris from the interior walls of a pipeline has a generally cylindrical central portion with a hollow core and a rounded end on each two ends of the cylindrical central portion, is produced of a flexible material to facilitate the movement of the pipeline pig through non-linear sections of a pipeline and buildups of scale and debris in a pipeline, has a solution which fills the hollow core, and includes a body which is formed as a peripheral fluid closed body composed of the flexible material.

Abstract: A pig for evacuating pipelines is disclosed. The pig includes a body of a deformable material having an outer surface configured to contour to a pipeline to be evacuated. At least a portion of the deformable material is impregnated with a quantity of magnetic or magnetizable metallic particals.

Abstract: A resilient scraper cup made from elastic material and intended for use in propelling a pipeline pig and/or scraping the interior of a pipeline having a predetermined inside diameter. Rather than the usual integrally formed cup used in pipeline servicing vessels, the invention proposes two segments, an inner and an outer segment. The two segments overlap each other but are freely separable from each other. Accordingly, when the outermost friction surface of the cup is worn out, the only part that requires replacement is the outer segment. Since the outer segment has thickness of only about 50% of than the inner segment, or carrier, the cost of such replacement is substantially smaller than replacement or refurbishing of the existing integrally formed cup.

Abstract: An applicator for cleaning the inside of pipes and hoses is disclosed. The applicator comprises a pressure chamber and a lid which is adjustable between open and closed positions, sealing the pressure chamber in the closed position. A sealed plane interfaces is provided between the pressure chamber and the lid which is guided for displacement transversely of the axis of the nozzle between the open and closed positions and is connected to a valve controlled double acting pneumatic cylinder for effecting the displacement. A nozzle to be connected to the pipe or the hose, is provided on the lid and in the closed position thereof communicates with the pressure chamber to be connected to a compressed air source through a valve for propulsion of a rinse projectile inserted into the nozzle, when the lid is open, through the pipe or the hose by means of compressed air being supplied to the pressure chamber with the lid in the closed position.

Abstract: A pressure flush control system comprises a hose connected at one end to a water supply and an inflatable bag connected to the other end of the hose, so that water from the water supply flows through the hose and into the bag to inflate the bag after the hose and bag are inserted into a drain pipe to keep the system mounted in the pipe during use. There is a second hose extending through the bag from an input side to an output side. The second hose is connected on the input side to a pressurized source of water, so that water from the pressurized source flows through the second hose to the output side under high pressure to clean the walls of the pipe. There is a third hose extending through the bag from the input side to the output side so that water exiting from the second hose returns through the third hose to the input side of the bag. There is also a valve connected to the third hose for closing the third hose to prevent water flow through the third hose.

Abstract: A device for moving a pig through a conduit, such as a pipeline, is proposed, comprising at least one pulling element with at least one sealing means. The sealing means comprises a supporting structure with variable circumference with at least one sealing element disposed on the circumference of the supporting structure. In a preferred embodiment, the supporting structure comprises supporting arms disposed substantially radially and being pivotable about axes, each perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the pulling element, and is mounted to the pulling element via the supporting structure and a central sleeve which can be fixed to the pulling element.

Abstract: A collapsible pig attached to the end of a tubing and having a seal to the bore of a pipeline for pulling the tubing into the pipeline at up to a predetermined pressure differential across the seal and while allowing the fluid in front of the pig to flow into the end of the tubing without pressure restriction, alternately having reversed flow from within the tubing exit the end of the tubing through jetting nozzles, and having the seal collapse at a pressure differential higher than the predetermined pressure differential.

Abstract: A variable speed pig for movement within a pipeline having a plurality of venturi-shaped through passages extending longitudinally to permit fluid within the pipeline to bypass the pig. The size and shape of these passages may be varied to vary fluid pressure drop through the passages and the pig to correspondingly vary the speed of the pig passing through the pipeline.

Abstract: A pipeline cleaning tool is constructed with an elongated support mechanism having a rigid cutting unit mounted at one end and a folding propulsion assembly mounted at the other end. The propulsion assembly includes a system of folding sector panels that are hinged to a central hub for rotation relative thereto about tangential axes of rotation. A separate expansion flap is secured to each sector panel for rotation relative thereto about a radially oriented axis of rotation by a hinged connection to one radial side edge. Each expansion flap partially overlaps the upstream face of the sector panel immediately adjacent to that upon which it is mounted. The area of overlap is controlled by the extent to which the sector panels of the propulsion unit are folded back toward the supporting shaft. The greater the extent of folding, the greater will be the area of overlap of each expansion flap upon the upstream face of an adjacent sector panel.

Abstract: A cementing head is provided for introduction and separation of fluids in a well. The cementing head comprises a plug container having upper and lower fluid inlets oriented tangent to the bore of the plug container. The upper inlet is located below the upper end of the plug so that a compact manifold can be used therewith. The compact manifold includes first and second discharge tees which may be connected by a one-piece coupling such that rotation of the coupling in one direction causes the discharge tees to seal against a spacer therebetween and rotation in a second direction causes the discharge tees to move apart from one another. A coupling for quick coupling of the plug container to a casing collar is also provided. The coupling apparatus comprises a locking clamp having pivotally connected arcuate clamp portions. Each arcuate clamp portion engages a lower end of a casing collar. A threaded adjustment is provided for increasing an initial compression of a seal against the upper end of the casing collar.

Abstract: A pipeline pig for inspecting the internal condition of a pipeline, especially for determining the wall thickness therealong, comprises three discrete modules containing electronics distributed therebetween. The modules are individually protected by polyurethane outer coverings and are interconnected by electrical cables. A flexible arrangement results for use in narrow and tortuous pipelines. The pig carries its own power supply so that results from its ultrasonic scanning system can be processed and stored on board for subsequent downloading.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow while permitting flow in only one direction includes a housing having a spherical central opening and connections to permit attachment to fluid flow lines at opposite ends of the housing. The spherical opening is configured to permit fluid flow through the housing. A spherical member is adapted to fit within the spherical central opening of the housing. The spherical member has an opening bored through its center and may be aligned with the housing connections to allow fluid communication between them and positioned perpendicular to the housing connections to prevent fluid communication between them. A rotation member is provided to operate in conjunction with the spherical member to rotate the spherical member within the housing. A closing member is mounted within the spherical member, and is sized to close off the opening bored through the center of the spherical member for one direction of fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for scraping the inner walls of a pipeline. The device comprises a flexible shaft, a plurality of groups of flexible radial scraping bars which are spaced apart and offset angularly so that the said bars are able to scrape substantially the entire inner surface of the said pipeline, and at least one flexible sealing module.

Abstract: A duct cleaning apparatus for cleaning an inside surface of a duct including an elongated flexible element extending inside the duct having a first end supported in the duct spaced from an inside surface, a second opposed free end and having a length sufficient to engage the inside surface of the duct, preferably greater than the diameter of the duct. Fluid flow through the duct, particularly turbulent flow, causes the elongated flexible element to oscillate or flap, striking the inside surface and removing foreign material from a predetermined portion of the inside surface of the duct. The apparatus of this invention may be used to create a fire break, for example, by removing flammable particles or dust from an area of the duct, preventing a flame from propagating along the duct through the flammable material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device 10 for scraping the inner walls of a pipeline. The device has (i) a flexible shaft 16 of elastomeric material, (ii) a plurality of groups of flexible radial scraping bars 14 which are spaced apart and offset angularly so that the bars are able to scrape substantially the entire inner surface of the pipeline, and (iii) a flexible covering 12 which coats the entire assembly formed by the said flexible shaft and by the bars, with the exception of the outer ends of the bars.

Abstract: The invention is an elastomer device with a generally spherical shape for cleaning pipelines and has the ability to reduce in size for changes in pipe internal diameter due to wall thickness changes and provides a cleaning and scraping ability. In particular, the device has three dimensional geometric shapes radiating from the outside surface of a spherical core. The flex of the walls of the three dimensional geometric structure provides the movement to reduce the diameter of the device when encountering smaller internal diameters of heavy wall pipe. The interference fit of the oversize of the device's diameter, combined with the edges and outside surface of the three dimensional geometric structure, provides a sealing and scraping ability. The pattern of the geometric shape, the wall thickness of the walls forming the pattern, and depth of the cell created by the walls, are all critical to the performance of the device.

Abstract: A pipeline pig comprises a central body member and a first drive member (26) mounted on the body member, the first drive member including a central annular support element (60) mounted on, to surround, the body member, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced primary drive elements (62) one end of each of which is secured to the support element (60) whereby the primary drive elements (62) extend substantially radially from the support element (60) and such that, in use, the other, free ends of the primary drive elements (62) engage the inner wall of the associated pipeline, each primary drive element (62) being capable of bending rearwardly of the direction of movement of the pig about the one end extent thereof to maintain engagement with the inner wall of pipelines within a range of diameters without increasing the drag thereon, the first drive member (26) further including a flexible backing disc (68) rearward of the primary drive elements (62) and adapted to seal against the inner wall of the pipeline

Abstract: Disclosed is a slug for distributing a fluid on an inner surface of a bore of a pipeline. The slug comprises a reservoir for containing the fluid to be distributed, an outlet for distributing the fluid from the reservoir and onto the inner surface of the bore of the pipeline, and an arrangement for discharging fluid from the reservoir through the outlet. In use, the slug's reservoir is charged with fluid, placed in the pipeline bore, and urged along the length of the pipeline under pressure of a conveying medium, such as pressurized air, while fluid from the reservoir is dispensed onto the inner surface of the pipeline bore. The outer cross-sectional area of the slug or at least one portion thereof forms at least a partial blockage with, and slidably engages the inner surface of, the bore of the pipeline to facilitate movement of the slug through the pipeline under the action of a conveying medium.

Abstract: An improvement of the duct-cleaning unit is disclosed for scraping the deposits from the inner surface of the flow line, which are residual in the flow lines after the completion of conveyance of any fluid material to thereby clean the flow lines as well as recover the material left in the tubing. The improvement is comprised of a pair of spherical guiding bodies coupled to lengthwise opposing ends of a connector member, one to each end, through universal joints. The spherical guiding bodies are each provided at the location near the connector with an annular pressure-carrying surface that makes fluid-tight contact at its outermost periphery with the inner surface of the tubing. The design of the present invention may make the cleaning unit smaller in size, so that the residual deposits in flow lines, in particular, at the relatively small radius bent in the flow line, may be reliably removed and pumped out the flow lines with the result of the high efficiency in cleaning process.

Abstract: A pipeline pig includes a central body member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced return path elements surrounding said body member and each extending axially relative to the body member, each return path element including a pair of axially spaced magnets from each of which projects a metallic bristle set, and means for connecting the return path elements to the body member whereby the free ends of the bristles, in use, resiliently engage the inner wall of the pipeline, the connecting means comprising a first carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the front extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the rear of the body member, a second carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the rear extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the front of the body member, and, for each return path element, a front link pivotally interconnecting the front of the return path element and the first carrier member, and a rear link pivotally interconnect

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a submerged pipeline. The method comprises installing a pair of hot tap tees on either side of the damaged section of pipeline, cutting a hole in the pipeline through each hot tap tee, inserting and securing plugging pigs into the pipeline, cutting and removing the damaged section of pipeline, and installing a new section of pipeline. The apparatus includes a plugging pig for use during repair of a damaged pipeline comprising a body shaft, a cup seal secured to the body shaft for engaging an interior wall of the pipeline, a cam attached to the exterior of the body shaft, a slip assembly for sliding on the cam and engaging a slip against the pipeline wall, and a control mechanism for engaging and releasing the slip from the wall.

Abstract: A apparatus and method of using the apparatus for removing a blockage in a subsea pipeline without retrieval of the pipeline to the surface. The apparatus components include a hot tap saddle, a drill assembly, a fluid blaster assembly and a support frame. The hot tap saddle component has a first portion and a second portion, with the first and second portions being configured to clampingly engage in a sealing relationship to the subsea pipeline. The first portion of the saddle includes a first and second opening with the first opening extending generally upwardly and configured for connecting to a drill assembly and the second opening being positioned generally at an angle to the first opening and configured for connecting to a fluid blaster assembly. The fluid blaster assembly including a nozzle, a hose and a high pressure pump with the fluid blaster assembly being contained within a pressure vessel. The fluid blaster assembly is configured for mounting to the second opening of the hot tap saddle component.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a pipeline is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing through which pipeline fluids may enter from the rear of the housing, pass through the housing and subsequently exit from the housing. A first bonnet, having several openings, is mounted at the front of the housing on a shaft which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A second bonnet is mounted on the housing and fits over the first bonnet. The second bonnet has openings which, when aligned with the openings in the first bonnet, permit the flow of pipeline fluid out of the housing in various directions. The first bonnet is movable in relation to the second bonnet so as to vary the degree of alignment of the openings in the bonnets. By varying the degree of alignment of the openings in the bonnets, the flow of fluids through the housing is regulated so as to control the speed of the apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaning device of the type for removing dirt, scale and extraneous material from the inner wall of a pipeline which comprises a body adapted to be moved longitudinally through the pipeline, a plurality of scraper elements mounted on the body for resiliently engaging the inner wall of the pipeline as the body is moved along the pipeline and at least one cup mounted on the body for sealably engaging the pipeline wall so that the body may be propelled through the pipeline by fluid pressure behind the cup, the improvement which comprises a polyurethane spring mounted between the body and each of the scraping elements for resiliently urging the scraping elements against the inner wall of the pipeline, the polyurethane spring comprising an elongated base member for attachment of the spring to the body, an outer side member disposed in spaced parallel relation with the inner base member and a plurality of cross members extending outwardly and rearwardly from the inner base member to and connecting with the outer